Find Honda Dealers in Bakersfield, California

After saving for downpayment (1 year) and researching online about what to buy, where to buy, and what to look for (2 months), yesterday I drove my new Magnetic Pearl 2006 HCH w/o Navi (no accessories) away from Barber Honda in Bakersfield. Sold exactly at MSRP (22,150 + 595 delivery = $22,725). I feel good about the price ... today, edmunds.com lists the true market value nationwide at $23,320. And hybridcars.com lists it at approx 21,850.... Of course, that's average - I'm sure CA dealers are the ones who push the average above MSRP... I live in Los Angeles, checked with a few dealers and ALL said you couldn't find an HCH at MSRP in SoCal. They're going for $2000 - $5000 (!!) over MSRP. Day before yesterday, I saw the MP w/o Navi, no accessories, in Santa Monica showroom (a cancelled sale) (best price they could sell it to me for was $24,745 - and salesman said Magnetic Pearl was a color that's hard to get. (huh?)) Delivery was quoted to be anywhere from 2 weeks to 8 weeks (from all dealers) I called a dealer in Thousand Oaks who said, "Yes, we sell only at MSRP - Um, let's see. It's around 22,400 or something like that." (You don't know what MSRP is for this car?) They had none on the lot, but 4 cars would be arriving 9/5. He didn't know colors or trim (w/ navi or not) He'll put me on the list, but no guarantee of the MP in the shipment. And... all salesmen have an independent list and they don't take deposits. In the end, he said "Trust me." Based entirely on the two positive reviews in this forum, I called Barber Honda. Magically (magnetically?) they had the car I wanted on the lot. They'd received $100 CC deposit on it which was cancelled just before I called. Salesman gave me the MSRP price with ttl and guaranteed that price. 10 min later, he called saying the buyer had changed his mind, came to the dealership and was filling out papers with another salesman. I put a CC deposit of $100 for a car coming at the end of September. 10 minutes later he calls and says buyer cancelled *again*, (financing wasn't sorted out). I bought it on the phone. Picked it up next day (yesterday) and it was the most pleasant, un-anxiety producing car purchase I've ever made. I drove it home - 100 miles - and it was fabulous. Well worth the trip. I couldn't be more pleased. Now.. off to get that 8-year extended warranty from myhondawarranty.com... Thanks for all the useful info posted here!

We car buyers work for money too. Too bad they are taught to try everything to get more money. In internet age this no longer works. Last week I talked to a dealer in Los Angeles about a LX, first we agreed MSRP. Then he found out that they have installed roof rack (with crossbars) without his knowledge so he has to sell it for $450. And again he found out that they have installed an alarm on it so he has to sell it for $340. So that's it. I started talking to another dealer in Oregan. Again we agreed on MSRP on a GG EX. I asked him to fax me a purchase agreement. Then he said the manager said no, they can only do MSRP on white one not the GG. Guess what? Since I did not sit in any one of the dealer's showroom for hours, so it's easy to walk away from them when they start BS. A few more phone calls I got a deal from Jay Honda (Ohio) for $600 under MSRP ($750 extra to ship to N. Cal). Still waiting for the FedEx document. They say after they get my check it will be 3-5 days to ship it to a lot in Sunnyvale where I will pick up. They will keep the factory plastic wrap on the ext for protection. I'll post when I get it... According to the salesman (Michale, 888-321-2371 x123), they have quite some Odysseys in the lot. Once you cross the psychological barrier of buying from out of state, you will have numerous options to choose from. As a side note, both dealers that I walked away from called me again yesterday, and I was happy to say sorry to them:-) I waited on Barber Honda (Bakersfield, CA) since 12/14, now time to get that $100 back. I sent out 30 emails Thursday night last week and by Saturday I finalized the deal. Anyway, just want to share my experience with all of you. Good luck to everyone. -Alex

I also live in the Bay area and I have found no local Honda dealers willing to sell the Ody for less than $1000 over MSRP. I have friends in the industry and the demand is so high that no one is willing to sell for less. However, I have found Barber Honda in Bakersfield willing to sell for MSRP, which means a 4 - 5 hr drive. They only have about 5 names on their waiting list so short term availability is probably good. I talked with Ralph Tinocco last week and he had a GG EX w/Nav available. Southern CAL is a little better, offering $500 over MSRP at some dealers. I've even heard of MSRP deals in the San Diego and Loma Linda area. Basically, living in California has its inherent cost, which means we pay higher prices for most things. But then, I don't know of too many other places where you can ski in the morning and hit the beaches in the afternoon, and not have severe winters :-)

mdgarcia, Thanks, but I must give credit to all the folks on this board. There was alot of people that gave info on a checklist, I just put it together. We still haven't got our Odyssey yet, have been told any day now. My mother-in-law picks her's up today at Barber Honda in Bakersfield. They called her yesterday and said she was first on the list and had a GG EX and wanted to know if she wanted it. (she was waiting for a White EX)At first she told Ralph no, but talked it over with dad-in-law and he said so what is the big deal on color, go get it. So, she will take the white door guards and touch up paint that I had sent to them from Trevor and see if they will trade for the GG that she will get. mdgarcia, we have the door guards just waiting for the van, they look good and look like they will stay on. (little side note: I have a '89 GMC 2500 that came with a drivers side door guard from the factory, it finally came off about 2 months ago...I think the wife knocked it off when she drove us home from our monthly poker game.) (still waiting in the weeds.... for our Ody)

Oxnard HOnda reportedly sells for MSRP. Vista Honda in Ventura sells for msrp, but adds on about $500 worth of options for which they charge $1300.00. Try Brandon Kimmell in Lancaster at Pioneer HOnda. He sells for msrp, will take a refundable deposit. I am on their waiting list, but haven't gotten my car yet. Also Bakersfield Honda reportedly sells for msrp. Kolbe Honda in Reseda sells for $1000 over msrp. First HOnda in Simi valley adds a bunch of REALLY expensive and overpriced options to their vehicles, raising the price to about $31,000. YOu just have to shop around, put down your deposit and wait it out.